EODC Newsletter No 151 MARCH 2019
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OWNERS and DRIVERS CLUB Inc. NUMBER 151 – MARCH 2019 REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PUBLICATION NUMBER VBH-4024 ELF – IN ! Small, slight, and delicately - made or proportioned, quick, agile and delicate ( as in movement or thought ), having an otherworldly, unearthly or magical quality. - Webster’s Dictionary. 2 ELFIN OWNERS and DRIVERS CLUB Inc. 2019 marks the start of another exciting year for all Elfin enthusiasts. Can you believe it, 60 years of Elfin! It’s amazing to think that the cars we love had their beginnings in 1959, when GARRIE COOPER started building those wonderful Streamliners.. During this special year we’ll feature some of the champions – the cars and the people that have made Elfin so special; but right now the focus is on some of the key events to highlight this landmark year. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year! Late last year our President MIKE BARKER informed me of his decision to resign from the post at the start of 2019 due to his many obligations with family and racing. I would sincerely like to thank him for stepping up to the mark following BRIQUE’s sudden death and for his support over the past two years. It has been greatly appreciated. His last official duty on behalf of the EODC was representing the club at the CAMS Awards Night. What was our award I wonder? Details are included later in the newsletter. GEOFF KELLY has been ‘encouraged’ to step into the role of President and I am delighted to announce that he has accepted the challenge. As a matter of urgency Geoff, has already taken th up his duties and will be formally introduced to members at the 60 Anniversary celebrations at The Bend, although many of you may catch up with him at the Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport in March. Thank you Geoff, your help throughout this exciting year will be most welcome! th Special 60 anniversary caps have been created and will be sent to all 2019 financial members to wear proudly throughout the year. If you are planning to attend the racing at Phillip Island, our annual BBQ or the SA events, please contact me so that I can hand it to you personally (and save on postage). Additional caps are also available for sale! Of course, at this time of year the EODC pays tribute to a member who has made a significant contribution to the Elfin marque. In this case the person chosen is a longtime member and we are honoured to salute his efforts, both on and off the track. Read on to discover his name….. I wish you a great year and hope you enjoy the celebrations! CHERYL REID 3 ELFIN OWNERS and DRIVERS CLUB Inc. BILL HEMMING making sure Arthur knows how BITS ‘N’ PIECES to work the barbeque. EODC member and HRCCT President GRANT TWINING has embraced the 60th anniversary year of Elfin Sports Cars, by buying himself ANOTHER Elfin. This Elfin 600, at right, the ex- Bono car of Ian Peters will shortly make its way from Brisbane to Hobart. “Looks exactly like back in 1971 when Jack Bono set quickest time of the F2 contingent for the Australian Grand Prix at Warwick Farm “ (Is he planning to buy enough cars to start his own Elfin Heritage Centre or is Tasmania opting for the greatest ratio of Elfins per population? Either way, the Tasmanians are very proud of their contribution to the Elfin story and are planning a fabulous celebration later in the year. Ed) After many many years, the first Streamliner is undergoing major restoration with the hope that it will be finished for this year’s celebrations. BILL BENTLY has been burning the midnight oil (and a few dollar notes) in an attempt to bring Streamliner NA1 back to life. We have been following his efforts with interest. Keep up the good work Bill! Meanwhile PAUL LITTLER has opted for a retro look on his trailer to transport his Mono - M6440 - around the countryside. 4 ELFIN OWNERS and DRIVERS CLUB Inc. CAMS RECOGNISES 40 YEARS OF THE EODC Oops! Without BRIQUE here to remind us, we missed our 40th anniversary, and only realised when invited by CAMS to attend their Awards Night. MIKE BARKER (left), seen here with CAMS General Manager of Motor Sports Michael Smith, accepts our award. “The CAMS Vic Motor Sport Awards Night was held on the evening of Friday 8th February at the ‘Showtime Events Centre’, South Wharf and hosted by well known motor sports presenter Greg Rust. CAMS has recognised the club’s milestone (40 years) with a Certificate of Achievement. The night celebrated the 2018 winners of the various Victorian Championships along with other awards, including certificates for long serving car clubs. On behalf of the EODC, I was honoured to receive the certificate in recognition of 40 years as an established car club. “ MIKE BARKER BRIAN REED, formed the EODC in 1978 with GARRIE COOPER as patron, and remained President (and driving force) of the club until his death in late 2016. For 40 years, the club has seen several ownerships of the marque, countless annual BBQ’s, displays, club dinners, and EODC weekends - in particular the Tour to Tarrengower in 1993 and 1995. The first newsletter was produced in 1980. AND NOW TO HILLCLIMBS…. 2019 has already provided EODC members with plenty of excitement. MIKE BARKER (seen in action at left) won the inaugural event at Rob Roy in the Victorian Championship. Photo by Garry Hill Meanwhile BILL ROBERTS, and son MICHAEL are making it a family affair at the Mt Panorama Circuit this weekend in NOEL BULL’s Elfin Vee in Rounds 1 and 2 of the NSW Championship. No results at this stage, but we do have a shot of Bill (at right) looking very comfortable in the car and ready for action. EODC CONTACTS: President: GEOFF KELLY – the4kellys @dodo.com.au 0401 995 811 or 03 8774 4154 Membership/Newsletter: CHERYL REID – [email protected] 0419 581 815 Memorabilia: BILL HEMMING – [email protected] 5 ELFIN OWNERS and DRIVERS CLUB Inc. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? – THE STREAMLINERS Prototype September 1959 First owner GARRIE COOPER Currently JOHN EVANS NA1 March 1960 First owner ROB BROSNAN Currently BILL BENTLEY NA2 March 1960 First owner BRUCE WENT Currently PETE FFRENCH NA3 April 1960 First owner MURRAY LEWIS Currently JARRETT FAMILY NA4 June 1960 First owner PETER WILKINSON Currently PAUL FAULKNER NA5 June 1960 First owner RUSS COURT Currently DAN JEFFRIES NA6 August 1960 First owner JARRETT BROS Currently JULIAN COWAN NA7 Sept 1960 First owner PETER MANTON Currently MAX FREELAND NA8 Sept 1960 First owner BRIAN MORRELL Currently BILL ATHERTON NA9 Nov 1960 First owner TONY ALCOCK Currently JACK PAPPAS NA10 Nov 1960 First owner RON DIAMOND Currently JOHN CARTER NA11 Late 1960 First owner BOB WILLIAMS Currently ??????? NA12 Nov 1960 First owner JOHN HEXTALL Currently DAVID MCKENZIE NA13 Dec 1960 First owner JOHN HARTNETT Currently MIKE SIMCOE NA14 Dec 1960 First owner BILL PILE Currently GREG RACHMANIOFF NA15 Dec 1960 First owner GEORGE SPANOS Currently GEORGE SPANOS NA16 Feb 1961 First owner RAY LONG Currently TONY HETHERINGTON NA17 April 1961 First owner DON DUNOON Currently ROSS WILLIAMS estate NA18 April 1961 First owner JOCK O’BRIEN Currently BILL HEMMING NA19 June 1961 First owner JARRETT BROS Currently IAN HOBBS NA20 Jan 1962 First owner JOHN JARVIS Currently ????? NA21 April 1962 First owner DANNY LANDRIGAN Currently COL SULLIVAN NA22 June 1963 First owner BARRY HEARD Currently JOHN BECKER (Please let us know of any updates to this information…) 6 Celebrating 60 years of ELFIN champions in SA All Historic Race Meeting – Mallala – April 26 to 28 The Friendliest Race Meeting in Australia! This year a special Elfin Supersprint has been added to the full programme of racing, in recognition of our 60th Anniversary. (This should also attract those Elfin owners without a Log Book or a Full Competition Licence.). A must to attend… The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend – April 29/30 Enjoy a late start on Monday before lunch at the Birdwood Mill, the Adelaide Hills or the Barossa Valley as you meander to The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend. This is an outstanding world class facility. If you haven’t seen it already, you are in for a surprise. Check-in from 2pm at Rydges and unpack your car, or just relax until pre-drinks. The highlight of the evening will be the Gala Dinner held at the FUEL restaurant. We will spark up the night with some lighting interviews and the odd “on the couch” discussions with Ex-Employees, Drivers, and Elfin Enthusiasts. Stay tuned for some special guests. A great night ….. with accommodation just down the corridor! Tuesday 30th April is Testing Day. It starts with an early breakfast for participants, then the mandatory drivers’ briefing and sign-on. You will be able to use the track all morning for ‘Testing’. The Licence required will be CAMS L2 or higher. (If you don’t have one, you can purchase a day Licence for a small fee.) Cars will be grouped accordingly. Remember it’s for all Elfins, not just Open Wheelers and Big Bangers. Let’s see those wonderful 50’s and 60’s cars out there, as well as the more contemporary. Non-drivers can enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the Track View King Room, with a terrific cafe offering a full spread morning tea and coffee. With ‘Testing’ over by 1 pm, lunch will be served - allowing you to relax, load up your cars, make your way home at your leisure or even stay another night! Motorsport Photographer and longtime Elfin supporter, John Lemm will be in attendance to capture this truly significant milestone in the history of the marque.